318: PATHS DIVERGED
ARIEL’S POV
I held Laura’s gaze steadily, my expression resolute. “I mean exactly what I said. If you’re worried
about someone, pay close attention to your own husband. I’m not going to talk too much. But don’t be
blind to what’s right in front of you.”
Laura’s eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed in suspicion. “What are your trying to say about
my husband?”
“I’m saying that maybe he’s not as innocent as you think,” I replied evenly. “But that’s your business to
sort out. Right now, I need to take care of mine.”
Without waiting for Laura’s response, I turned on my heel and headed inside the mansion to pack my
belongings. As I made my way through the familiar halls, my heart felt heavy with the weight of my
decision, but I knew it was the right one.
I found Janice in her room, ying with her toys. I crouched down beside her, cupping her face in my
hands. “Sweetheart, we’re leaving,” I said softly.
Janice looked up at me, confusion flickering in her eyes. “Leaving? But why?”
I brushed a gentle kiss against her forehead. “Because it’s time for us to start fresh somewhere else,
where we can be happy.”
Janice nodded solemnly, sensing the gravity of the situation. “Okay, mommy. I’ll go with you wherever
you go.”
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I gathered Janice into my arms, holding her close. “Thank
you, sweetheart. Let’s go.”
With Janice in my arms and my belongings in tow, I returned to the front door, where Laura was still
watching silently. I paused in front of her, my heart heavy with unresolved emotions. But this was the
right step to take. And I needed to follow through with it, or something terrible might happen if I
continued living in this house.
“Goodbye, Laura,” I said quietly, my voice thick with emotion. It was for the best. Take care of yourself.”
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BADLI DIVER
Laura remained silent, her expression unreadable, as she watched us leave the mansion for thest
time. As I stepped out into the rain, I knew that I was closing a chapter of my life. But I also knew I was
stepping into a new chapter filled with hope and possibility with Luke and Janice by my side.
Just as I was about to walk further with Janice, Laura halted me and said, “Wait!”
I stopped walking and turned around, my hand positioned around Janice’s shoulder. Actually, both of us
turned around.
Laura let out a deep sigh, stepping closer to us. “You can take one of my cars. I don’t want you both
walking in the rain.”
My eyes went down to Janice as I held her hand tightly. I turned back to Laura with a
smile. “Thank you,” I said.
She was now close to me, and I could see pain in her eyes. “Ariel, I’m… I’m sorry.”
I hugged her immediately; I could feel the little tearsing out of my eyes slowly, and I could say the
same for her. “I’m sorry, too.”
Our embrace came to an end, and I held both of Laura’s shoulders, smiling at her. Thank you for
everything.” I thanked her in a whisper.
She had her hand fixed on my face, smiling at me. “Take care of yourself. “And take care of the little
one.” Her gaze went down to Janice, a quick look, and then the eyes fell back on me. “I believe you can
handle things really well on your own. But if you ever need help with anything, you just have to know
I’m here. Don’t hesitate to call
me.”
“Okay, I’ve taken note of that. Thank you.” I smiled delightfully at her.
Laura nodded, her expression softening as the seconds passed by. “You’re wee, Ariel. Just
promise me one thing.”
I tilted my head, curious about what she would ask.
“Promise me that you’ll take care of yourself, too,” she said earnestly. “You’ve always been strong for
everyone else, but don’t forget to look after your own well–being.”
I smiled, touched by her concern. “I promise, Laura. I’ll take care of myself.”
With that, I guided Janice towards the car Laura offered, feeling a sense of relief mingled with sadness
as we embarked on this new journey. This was an unexpected
moment, which turned out to be unexpected.
Settling down into the driver’s seat with Janice beside me, I nced back at the
mansion onest time, knowing that although I was leaving behind this part, which would now turn out
to be my past, I was also embracing a future full of possibilities.
With Laura’s unexpected actions echoing in my heart, I started the engine, ready to drive and make my
way to my destination.
The rain continued to pour, and its rhythmic beat against the car’s windshield matched the tumultuous
thoughts swirling in my mind. With each mile closer to Luke’s mansion, my anticipation and
apprehension grew in equal measure.
Janice sat quietly beside me, her small hand gripping mine tightly as she stared out at the rain–
drenchedndscape. I couldn’t help but wonder what awaited us at our
destination.
Would Luke be relieved to see us? Would he understand why I had to leave Laura’s
mansion so abruptly? Well, he would be happy. That was what he wanted, after all.
Lost in my thoughts, the minutes stretched into what felt like hours as w
we drove
through the stormy night. The asional sh of lightning illuminated the darkened sky, casting eerie
shadows across the deserted road.
Finally, the imposing gates of Luke’s mansion loomed into view, and my heart.
skipped a beat. This was it–the moment where the true family would unfold. Taking
a deep breath to steady my nerves, I started calling Luke on the phone.
After a tense moment, Luke answered the call. “Ariel, my love. I hope everything’s
fine.”
Relief flooded through me at the sound of his voice, and I couldn’t help but smile despite the
circumstances. “Everything’s fine, Luke. Can you please open the gates?”
“You’re outside?”
“Yes, I’m outside, and beside me is our little daughter, Janice.”
ISTE, PATHS DIVERGED
through. As I approached the mansion, I stared everywhere with a fragile smile on
my face.
Parking the car in front of the grand entrance, I turned to Janice, offering her a reassuring smile. “Are
you ready, sweetheart?”
She nodded eagerly, not saying a word, but I knew for a fact that she was extremely happy with this
decision. Together, we stepped out of the car and made our way
towards the mansion’s imposing double doors.
Before I could even ring the doorbell, the doors swung open, revealing Luke standing in the entrance
hall, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. Without a word, he
rushed forward, enveloping us both in a tight embrace.
“Ariel, what happened? Why are you here?” Luke’s voice was filled with worry as he pulled back to
study my face. “Did that woman throw you out of her house?”
Taking a deep breath, I met his gaze, my resolve firm. “I’ll exin everything, Luke.
But first, we need to talk.”